Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-06-02
THE RUSSIAN SOLDIER.
PHYSICAL lNFERiORiTY OF THE
CARS PEASANT SUBJECTS.

CARS PEASANT SUBJECTS.
The Russian Peasantry an iiiit.rate
People aud "a Military Class.
Their Strong Points As soidiers-Iheir
Brutality and Barbarisn.
II is generally supposed that the Rus
sian soldier is physically an uncommonly
fine man This idea doubtless arose from
the fact that the Guard corps, quartered
at St Petersburg and Warsaw, and com
posed of carefully selected men, are the
troops most frequently seen by visitors 10
Russia: aud these are Of strikin2ly fine
physique But the average size of the
Russian is probably less than that OF any
people in Europe. The annual contingent
of recruits that joined the Colors in 1883
consisted according 10 the armed
strength of Russia. Of IA, lJ'i men. Or
these b 3Sl were under , feet ! Il inches
in height: - 66s We're between 5feet II
inches and feet :, inches: 81, 4SS We're he
tween ! feet ) inches and . feet "a
inches: 43, l64 were between , feet "a
inches aud feet Il , inches; n, AZ were
over feet'6 IL inches.
In all other countries the minimum
standard height for the army Is higher
| than the above. In the British army, for
example, though, il varies from time 10
time according To the state OF the recruit
ing market. it is usually about . feet IL
inches The lowest il has ever reached Is
feet 3 inches clear; and at that standard
81, ,O49 uf the PA. 1873 Russian recruits for
1883. or considerably over one third,
would have been rejected for the British
army
An ILLITEEATE PEOPLE
The Russians are essentially race Of
peasants Ia the above contingent lSl. lo'
about 30 per cent.-were mouuks. That
| they are an illiterate people is generally
| known; but perhaps the extent OF their
| illiteracy is not generally realized. In
the same contingent l6a, 80 men-over
three iourths-couid either read nor
| write.
Another idea which prevails to some
extent is that the Russ an is naturally of "a
| warlike temperament; that he has an in
born aptitude for the career OF arms, such
| rs exist TO large degree among the
French. or even that lie looks upon sol
diering as his proper vocation-as the Sikh
does. and is happy only when following
| the drum. This while true i'll regard to
| the CosSack. i entirely false idea in re
gard to'the mass of the population. re
cent writer in Blackwood's Magazine, who
has spent many years in Russia, gives an
| excellent account of the army and of the
peasantry who mainly compose II. In
reading the following extract. il is we'll to
| know that of the Russian soldiers fifteen
years service six are spent in the army
and nine in the reserve.
Skobeleff knew the Russian soldier
| Thoroughly and admired him highly, but
he found it necessary On occasion 10 yield
| to this savagery of disposition. After ho
storming OF Geek Tepe and the dispersal
of its defenders he gave his soldiers carte
| blanche as to their actions for exactly
twenty four hours. 1t was a terrible
twenty four hours for the Turkoman
women and children. \ few hours later
| Skobeleff had two soldiers shot for some
| trifiing breach of discipline.
THE PEASANT As A SOLDIER.
The writer in Blackwood says:
The Russian peaSantry is probably the
| most non military class to De found in
Europe The moment the soldier gets ont
| of his uniform he reverts completely TO
| his original condition, and after twelve
months absence from the col"rs he is on
| rejoining, little better than new recruit.
| He seems To take no pride III his uniform,
| he hates the irksomeuess Of military dis
| cipiine and he particularly hates lighting.
| Further characteristics of the mouJik are
| his dogged determination and patience
| under difficulties, both qualities of the
highest value i'll soldier He is, under
| ordinary circumstances, soft hearted,
good natured fellow: but Ihere are savage
| instincts in his Semi-barbaruus nature
| which render him capable OF almost any
brutality if he is once thoroughly excited.
The awfHi atrocities committed during the
late persecution Of the Jews are still fresh
| in our minds and bear witness 10 the SAY
agery of the Russian peasant.
The Russian soldier, if given fair
play. is hard to beat But it is only The
| expected, danger or difficulty which the
Russian meets thus well. Left Ia his own
resources. the unexpected overwhelms
him. and in the sharp struggle where
prompt action is required he Is easily
| worSted unless thoroughly well led. If
You strike a Russian Unexpectedly you
NAV follow up the blow and probably
Iuyercome him before he has realized what
Won arr at 1t i not cowardiCr that ails
him. il - simply bewilderment. In all
nv wanderiugS among the Russian peO-
pie | cannot call 10 mind single instance
Of real cowardice displayed; but on the
other hand | cannot remember au in
stance of danger being cOurtrd from 4
| love of adventure or Il spirit of daring.
Elan and love of adventure are unknown
qualities among the peasantry, and are
therefore non-cNistent in the army. -
\ Nm, nrl...ns Times Ilamn.rar